Australia leads global standards in mobile network safety

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association (AMTA) and its Radio Frequency (RF) Safety Program have been acknowledged for their significant contributions to the establishment of global international standards for assessing electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields associated with human exposure. This recognition comes as a result of their involvement with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) TC 106 Methods.

Mike Wood, Telstra's Technology Leader in EME Standards, Governance & Risk Management, served as the outgoing chair of the global IEC TC 106. Alongside Wood, other key Australian contributors included Des Ward, Technical Co-Director of the TPG - UTS Network Sensing Laboratory, and Phill Knipe, Consultant Physicist at Total Radiation Solution. Together, they managed significant advancements in measurement, calculation, and the formulation of global 5G standards, contributing to the establishment of a new structure for mobile device compliance standards.

IEC TC 106, an international standards committee based in Geneva, is responsible for the evaluation and measurement of RF emissions from telecommunications base stations. Over the past decade, Australia has played a crucial role in the development and expansion of these global standards, being the first nation to implement a national standards system for electromagnetic and RF emissions and make it publicly accessible.

In 2023, Australia took a further step by hosting a specialised workshop on the Gold Coast, rigorously testing 5G technology at a 5G supercell. The insights gained were then integrated into the latest global safety standards.

AMTA's CEO, Louise Hyland, highlighted Australia's regulatory strengths in this field. "Australia is recognised by the International Standards bodies, such as the IEC for its strong regulatory settings around RF safety and electromagnetic emissions," she noted. "With a nine-year tenure in the role of Chair of TC 106, Mike Wood has been able to make a significant contribution to developing and updating critical safety standards. This includes pioneering work on electromagnetic frequency (EMF) assessment standards for 5G networks and devices, ensuring safety kept pace with the rapid evolution of this transformative technology," she added.

AMTA's commitment to electromagnetic energy (EME) safety extends beyond its engagement with TC 106. The association collaborates actively with the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), and other stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of EME safety standards within the country.

Hyland stated, "We are committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that Australia continues to be a leader in EME safety. We believe that by working together, we can build a safe and thriving telecommunications industry for the benefit of all Australians."